Thirteen Degrees Below

…the equator that is.

The first thing that struck me as I stepped off the plane into Samoa was the heat and humidity. I had been preparing myself mentally for this weather. I knew it would be different and I knew I would sweat, a lot. Although it was pretty hot and humid, I thought, hmmm…this isn’t too terrible.

The first week into training and I still didn’t have to think about the weather too much. Why? Because I was in an air conditioned hotel and doing trainings in a room that had a great breeze.

Then, we moved to our training sites. Now this was the real Samoan experience I had been looking forward too. The heat and humidity of the days exhausted me. I found myself sweating while simply sitting around. Ve vela le aso (hot day) ended up being one of the first phrases I regularly used. I thought my body would adjust and eventually it wouldn’t feel so hot. I learned pretty quickly, however, that not even Samoans have adjusted to the heat and humidity.

The hottest part of the day, in the early afternoon, tends to be the time for Samoans to nap. Why? Because what else can you do when it is that hot and humid?

I adjusted to getting my nap in each day, although mine tended to be later due to training. At first I would nap in my room, on my bed, with my electric fan blowing right at me. Then, one Saturday, I realized something very important: the floors are tiled for more than one reason. I spent that afternoon napping on the floor and not sweating profusely.

Now, 11 weeks into living in Samoa, I still have not “gotten used to” the heat. I still find myself sweating while literally doing nothing. However, I have adjusted to this weather in some ways. On days that it rains, it feels absolutely glorious and I really don’t want it to stop. Eighty degrees can feel cool, especially if it is raining. Thinking about winter back in America, especially when I get told it is below zero, makes me shiver and wonder: what will I do in two years when I go back? I guess we will see as my body continues to adjust.

My Why

When I was 10 years old, I wanted to become a teacher in spite of my own teacher trying to talk me out of it. I have always enjoyed helping and watching people learn. It is something inspiring to see a kid come to a class barely reading, then finally reading a whole book or starting off not knowing how to add, then learning to not only add, but also subtract. It has been a passion of mine my whole life.

Starting around high school, I developed another passion: traveling. I had traveled around the states and been to Mexico when I was younger, but I had the desire to see and learn more. My aunt and uncle took me to France when I graduated high school. Then, I moved across the country to New York for college. I had the opportunity to study abroad in London then travel around Europe. I also went to Costa Rica with my mom after graduating from graduate school. Learning about each new culture and really being immersed in it has sparked my curiosity about the world.

Joining the Peace Corps has been something that I initially thought about in college. I thought, "Hmmm...a chance to do the two things I am passionate about." I know that the countries that Peace Corps works in are underdeveloped. They do not have the same resources and power that the United States has. It is a chance to change at least one person's life dramatically because I can bring resources to help the way teachers teach and students learn to make education a more level playing field for the countries who do have fewer resources.

Why now? We all have things in our lives that come up. In my case, it was graduate school, then a serious relationship, then working in a NYC public school. My life was on a certain track and I didn't want to veer off it just yet. But now? I am 27 and ready for the next big thing in my life. I am not ready to "settle down" and get married and have babies, not that there is anything wrong with wanting that. I still want to be independent and selfish and do things for myself. So what better way to do that? Join the Peace Corps now.

I am beyond excited for this opportunity and cannot wait to spend 27 months in a foreign country, adapting to a new culture and perhaps finding myself even more. Thank you to everyone who has supported me in this decision and I will be thinking about each of you while I am away. Just 2 more weeks and then I am off!

36 Days and Counting...

It is shocking to me to think that there are only 36 days until I will leave Colorado to go to staging. You would think that everything would be setting in now and I would really be feeling like this is happening, but I don't feel that way.

It's a little more real since I moved to Colorado and all of my stuff is here, but even then, it doesn't feel real. I can talk my head off about it, but it still doesn't feel real. I don't have my things packed and I don't have everything I will need. Instead, I am focusing on doing housework for my mom and getting together administrative things before the Peace Corps.

Every day, I get closer to leaving, but it doesn't feel that way. I am beyond excited. People ask me if I'm nervous or scared, but I'm not. All I feel right now is anticipation and excitement. As the days count down, I cannot wait to leave. We will see if it will feel real eventually (maybe when I'm in the country).

Why the name?

I sit here and think that I have only 6 weeks left until I leave the United States for over 2 years. It was a mere dream just days, weeks, months ago, but now, it's a reality. I still can't believe it. I can't even fathom that I will be living in a developing country for 27 months and come back just 6 months before I turn 30. What?!?!?

While all of that is hard to imagine, I also think about the joy and adventure that will come with it. I have already experienced a lot given my age, but I love new experiences that are totally different than anything else I have experienced. I cannot wait for the something new in my life.

Some people may question the name of my blog. I know that all that I will do will not necessarily be excellent, but I have to think about those who I am leaving behind. My mom calls my dog's trip cross country as his excellent adventure. I think that what my mom has done thus far in her life has been an excellent adventure. There are ups and downs to any adventure, so I am choosing to be on the positive side and call it an excellent adventure...no matter what.

I look forward to the next 6 weeks and where I will be. And beyond (of course).

Love and exploration.
-Alex